Police search for fake plumber burglars

Police are looking for two burglars who pretended to be plumbers to get into their victims' homes.

Police are looking for two burglars who pretended to be plumbers to get into their victims' homes.

In two separate burglaries that targeted elderly residents less than a fortnight ago, two suspects told residents they were there to investigate a leak, before stealing cash and jewellery from inside the houses.

This comes as police in Wandsworth – south London – are reminding residents not to open their door if they think the caller is bogus.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police Service said: "The suspects in this type of crime claim to be doing something to do with water, either plumbers, builders or water board officials required to do urgent work to fix a problem, usually a leak, sometimes radiators or taps, clearing drains or fixing a washing machine.

"It is rare for a Thames water representative to require access to a customer's property.

"On the rare occasion where access is required, they will contact the customer beforehand."